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County Durham and Stockton men jailed for overseas child abuse plans

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County Durham and Stockton men jailed for overseas child abuse plans

Carl Simmons, 51, and Kevin Smith, 42, are behind bars after booking flights and planning to sexually abuse young children overseas.

But NEROCU and Durham Police’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team arrested the pair before they could travel.

Simmons and Smith made their online arrangements to sexually abuse and rape children abroad, last autumn.

Both men used sexually explicit language, and Simmons sent sexual images of himself.

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Carl Simmons jailed over plan to travel abroad to sexually abuse children

But they did not realise they were speaking to a police officer whose colleagues were closing in on them.

Simmons and Smith were arrested in October 2025 and charged with arranging the commission of a child sex offence.

They later pleaded guilty and were sentenced at Teesside Crown Court today (Monday September 21).

Simmons, of Tilery Close, Bowburn, near Durham, and Smith, of Grangefield Road, Stockton, were each sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.

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Kevin Smith also jailed over plan to fly abroad to abuse children

They were each also made subject of 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Constable Georgina Lewis, said: “Both Simmons and Smith made their vile desires very clear, and their actions demonstrated the lengths they would go and the money they would pay to sexually abuse children.

“They’ll now face the consequences of their actions thanks to the hard work of officers.

“We would urge anyone who has been a victim of this type of offending, or has concerns about someone’s behaviour, to come forward and talk to police.

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“Support is available and you can help safeguard other vulnerable children.”

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Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wows in a sexy leather trench coat as she joins leggy Lila Moss and Jodie-Turner Smith at London Fashion Week’s star-studded Burberry show

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London Fashion Week concluded in star-studded fashion on Monday night with the Burberry spring summer 2027 catwalk show attracting the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

London Fashion Week concluded in star-studded fashion on Monday night with the Burberry spring summer 2027 catwalk show.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and her fiancé Jason Statham led the celebrity arrivals at the Chelsea College of Art before taking their seats on the FROW. 

Model Rosie, 39, – who has worked with the brand for years – wowed in a sexy belted leather trench coat for the show which she teamed with strappy heels and a sleek bag.

By her side actor Jason, 59, looked dapper in a navy bomber jacket as the pair cosied up for the camera.

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Romeo Beckham, 24, and his girlfriend Kim Turnbull also made it a date night as they arrived together – with the model son of David and Victoria wearing an all-black look.

Lila Moss, 23, – the daughter of fashion icon Kate – meanwhile showed off plenty of leg in a sparkly silver mini dress for the occasion. 

Actress Jodie-Turner Smith, 40, also turned heads in a purple all-leather look and long boots.  

Also in attendance were the likes of model Iris Law, Gemma Chan, athlete Keely Hodgkinson and Adolescence star Stephen Graham and his wife Hannah.

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London Fashion Week concluded in star-studded fashion on Monday night with the Burberry spring summer 2027 catwalk show attracting the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

London Fashion Week concluded in star-studded fashion on Monday night with the Burberry spring summer 2027 catwalk show attracting the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Rosie and her partner Jason Statham led the celebrity arrivals before taking their seats on the FROW

Rosie and her partner Jason Statham led the celebrity arrivals before taking their seats on the FROW

Lila Moss , 23, - the daughter of fashion icon Kate - meanwhile showed off plenty of leg in a sparkly silver mini dress for the occasion

Lila Moss , 23, – the daughter of fashion icon Kate – meanwhile showed off plenty of leg in a sparkly silver mini dress for the occasion

Actress Jodie-Turner Smith, 40, also turned heads in a purple all-leather look and sexy long boots

Actress Jodie-Turner Smith, 40, also turned heads in a purple all-leather look and sexy long boots

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The show coincides with Burberry celebrating its 170th anniversary and the collection has been designed by Burberry Chief Creative Officer Daniel Lee.

London Fashion Week is currently underway in the capital, running from Thursday, September 17 to Monday, September 21.

Organised by the British Fashion Council, this season’s event focuses on the spring/summer 2027 collections.

The Burberry show coincides with the opening of a new free exhibition at the V&A museum called The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon to mark the brand’s 170th year.

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It will display a series of the iconic coats from over the years as well as a vintage womenswear catalogue and the personalised label inside fashion designer Hardy Amies’s own Burberry coat.

The V&A website reads: ‘This free display offers a concise history of the Burberry trench coat from its origins as practical outerwear and military attire to a world-renowned icon of fashion, rooted in a contemporary British sensibility and celebrated globally.’ 

The exhibition will run until January 3 2027. 

The Burberry show comes hot on the heels of the star-studded Alexander McQueen show on Sunday night.

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It attracted the likes of Emma Corrin, Lila Moss, Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall and Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke. 

Model Rosie, 39, - who has worked with the brand for years - wowed in a sexy belted leather jacket for the show which she teamed with strappy heels and a sleek bag

Model Rosie, 39, – who has worked with the brand for years – wowed in a sexy belted leather jacket for the show which she teamed with strappy heels and a sleek bag

Rosie flashed plenty of leg in the trench coat as she accessorised with dark shades
She posed up a storm upon arrival

Rosie flashed plenty of leg in the trench coat as she accessorised with dark shades

Romeo Beckham, 24, and his girlfriend Kim Turnbull also made it a date night as they arrived together - with the model son of David and Victoria wearing an all-black look

Romeo Beckham, 24, and his girlfriend Kim Turnbull also made it a date night as they arrived together – with the model son of David and Victoria wearing an all-black look

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The pair looked in great spirits as Kim showed off her sense of style in a beige jacket and leather trousers

The pair looked in great spirits as Kim showed off her sense of style in a beige jacket and leather trousers

She boosted her height with strappy leather heels and toted a sleek black bag

She boosted her height with strappy leather heels and toted a sleek black bag

Iris Law opted for a denim co-ord

Iris Law opted for a denim co-ord 

Jodie posed up a storm as she arrived and accessorised with a fur accessory

Jodie posed up a storm as she arrived and accessorised with a fur accessory 

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Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Another highlight from the week included M&S making its London Fashion Week debut with a star-studded show attracting the likes of Joan Collins and Katherine Jenkins. 

Last Friday the iconic brand marked 100 years since it first launched its clothing collection, with a string of stars gracing the front row at the Design Museum for its first ever runway show.

Leading the pack was legendary actress Joan, 93, who showed off her age-defying appearance in a chic black pencil skirt while sat in the front row.

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The Dynasty icon posed in a stylish white satin blouse while she chatted to Welsh singer Katherine at the event.

Taking a break from her Parliamentary duties, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch was also in attendance in a stylish dark blue suit.

Kemi has previously offered her backing to help save the British High Street, stating Conservatives would reduce the welfare bill to free up money to ‘properly support local businesses’.

In a recent Facebook post, she said: ‘By cutting the welfare bill back to pre-covid levels, my team will free up the money to properly support local businesses.

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Romeo's girlfriend Kim looked as stylish as ever for the show

Romeo’s girlfriend Kim looked as stylish as ever for the show 

Keely Hodgkinson attends the Burberry show at the Chelsea College of Art wearing an all-black look

Keely Hodgkinson attends the Burberry show at the Chelsea College of Art wearing an all-black look

Poppy Delevingne attends the Burberry show during London Fashion Week

Poppy Delevingne attends the Burberry show during London Fashion Week

Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath, also opted for a black ensemble for the show

Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath, also opted for a black ensemble for the show

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Pixie Geldof and her husband George Barnett were also in attendance

Pixie Geldof and her husband George Barnett were also in attendance 

Cat Burns showed off her sleek sense of style for the show as she was one of the earlier arrivals

Cat Burns showed off her sleek sense of style for the show as she was one of the earlier arrivals 

Adolescence star Stephen Graham and his wife Hannah also made an appearance at the star-studded show

Adolescence star Stephen Graham and his wife Hannah also made an appearance at the star-studded show

Actress Gemma Chan turned up the heat in a leather jumpsuit and heeled boots

Actress Gemma Chan turned up the heat in a leather jumpsuit and heeled boots 

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Eve Hewson attends the Burberry show during London Fashion Week

Eve Hewson attends the Burberry show during London Fashion Week

Dua Lipa's stylish sister Rina was also in attendance

Dua Lipa’s stylish sister Rina was also in attendance 

Dina Asher-Smith opted for a chic look

Dina Asher-Smith opted for a chic look

Gabbriette also opted for an all-black look

Gabbriette also opted for an all-black look

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Anita Rani flashed plenty of leg in a grey mini skirt

Anita Rani flashed plenty of leg in a grey mini skirt 

Skepta attends the Burberry show during London Fashion Week

Skepta attends the Burberry show during London Fashion Week

Jason Statham and Joel Edgerton enjoyed a catch up

Jason Statham and Joel Edgerton enjoyed a catch up 

Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Chiwetel Ejiofor

Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Chiwetel Ejiofor

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Rachel Brosnahan wore a dark grey trench coat

Rachel Brosnahan wore a dark grey trench coat

Top Boy star Kano looked dapper as he arrived

Top Boy star Kano looked dapper as he arrived

‘That means scrapping business rates for pubs, restaurants and high street shops around the country, giving a lifeline to the people who create local jobs and support local communities.’

No doubt enjoying a chance to mix with the showbiz world, Kemi chatted to legendary actress Joan before posing for a snap with her. 

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Also in the audience were sports personalities Jamie Redknapp – accompanied by his wife Frida – and Ian Wright, as well as model David Gandy and Capital Breakfast radio hosts Sian Welby and Jordan North.

On the runway itself, Liam Gallagher‘s son Lennon showcased Marks’ men’s collection and his proud cousin Anais watched on from the front row. 

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Inside Cindy Crawford’s family life after son Presley Gerber’s death aged 27

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Inside Cindy Crawford's family life after son Presley Gerber's death aged 27
Presley Gerber (second right) has died, aged 27 (Picture: Best Image/Backgrid)

It was announced today that Presley Gerber, the son of Cindy Crawford, has died, aged 27.

The former model died on Sunday, September 20, at a rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles, according to records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

A representative for Crawford and her husband, Rande Gerber, confirmed the news, asking for privacy on behalf of the family.

Several stars have paid tribute to Presley, including his close friends Brooklyn Beckham and Paris Hilton.

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Presley’s cause of death has not yet been disclosed, with an autopsy still pending.

Over the years, Cindy has regularly opened up about her family life, sharing just months ago how ‘proud’ she was of her children and the bond they share.

Who is Cindy Crawford married to?

Crawford first got married in 1991 to actor Richard Gere after meeting at a star-studded barbecue hosted by the late photographer Herb Ritts.

UNITED KINGDOM - CIRCA 1991: Richard Gere (L) and Cindy Crawford attend the
Cindy Crawford was first married to actor Richard Gere (Picture: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Presley Gerber, model and son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber has died at the age of 27, at a rehab facility in Los Angeles, Ca. on September 20, 2026. March 20, 2016 West Hollywood, CA Presley Gerber. 20 Sep 2026 Pictured: Kaia Gerber, Presley Gerber, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber. Photo credit: Lisa OConnor / AFF-USA.com / MEGA TheMegaAgency.com sales@mega.global
She then married Rande Gerber in 1995 before welcoming their two children, Presley and Rande (Picture: Lisa OConnor / AFF-USA.com / MEGA)

They divorced in 1995, and she met businessman and former model Rande Gerber at her agent’s wedding, themselves tying the knot three years later.

Speaking to People Magazine in 2023, Crawford said that her and Gerber maintain ‘more traditional’ roles in the home, giving an insight into their family life.

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‘I was going to joke and say I can barely get him to pick up a wet towel, which is partly true, but I will say, if something around the house needs repair – he’ll repair it if he knows how.

‘You know, if the air conditioning’s not working, he deals with that. Or if there’s a patch of grass that needs replacing.

‘So I would say we’re pretty good at divvying up the responsibilities of life.’

She continued: ‘And I’m definitely more in charge of making sure there are groceries in the house and menu planning, the schedule, making appointments and that kind of stuff.’

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Presley Gerber, Kaia Gerber, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber at RE/DONE x Kaia Gerber 'Short/Cuts' Launch Event on May 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images)
She described the roles she and Rande take in their household as ‘traditional’ (Picture: Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images)

They welcomed their first child, Presley, in 1999, and his sister, Kaia, in 2001.

Who are Cindy Crawford’s children, Presley and Kaia Gerber?

Both Presley and Kaia followed in their parents’ footsteps and got into modelling, with Presley beginning his career at the age of 15.

He made his runway debut for Moschino in Los Angeles in 2016 and went on to work with major brands including Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana and Celine.

Ahead of his death, Presley had opened up about his struggles with substance abuse and mental health issues.

He told the Studio 22 podcast in 2023: ‘Having struggled with mental health, depression and some other things that come along with that, I think that whether I help one person or a hundred people get out of that place that I was in at one point in my life, that’s all I need to do.

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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Rob Latour/Shutterstock (14388308be) Rande Gerber, Cindy Crawford and Presley Gerber 'Palm Royale' World Premiere, Los Angeles, California, USA - 14 March 2024
Presley has been open over the years about his issues with addiction and mental health (Picture: Rob Latour/Shutterstock)

‘[Mental health] is an issue. It is such a big part of my life. It’s a 24/7 job, and there’s so much to it. That’s really what I want to do: help people, whether you’re depressed, you’re struggling with something that is having a negative effect on your body. I mean it could be anything, and there’s no judgment.’

He added: ‘I’ve seen a lot of stuff and I’ve learned a lot of things. What I hope I can do is have made the mistakes for some other people, so they don’t have to make the same mistakes that I made.’

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Kaia, meanwhile, began modelling when she was just 10 years old after she posed for Versace’s Young Versace division.

Since then, she’s worked with Omega, YSL Beauty, and Marc Jacobs Fragrances.

As an actress, she has appeared in supporting roles in the films Bottoms and Saturday Night, as well as a lead role in the TV show The Shards.

Months before Presley’s death, Cindy said she was ‘so proud’ that her children ‘love each other.’

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FILE - Model Kaia Gerber, left, and her brother Presley Gerber pose in Paris, Sept. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu, File)
Both Kaia and Rande have pursued modelling careers (Picture: AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Owen Kolasinski/BFA/Shutterstock (5012048el) Presley Gerber, Rande Gerber, Cindy Crawford, Kaia Gerber Outerknown launch, Gesner Beach House, Malibu, Los Angeles, America - 29 Aug 2015
Cindy opened up earlier this year about being an empty nester after her children left home (Picture: Owen Kolasinski/BFA/Shutterstock)

She opened up about her children working on a photoshoot together in an interview with People, saying: ‘It was like watching their interaction with each other. Nothing makes, I think, a parent prouder than when your kids like each other and love each other.

‘And then I think they interviewed me and Presley together and Kaia and Rande together, just hearing what… It’s not often that you have that recorded and hear that, hearing what your kids have to say about you; if it’s good is so nice.’ 

She also opened up about being an empty nester after both of her children left home, saying: ‘I think we’re enjoying this next chapter of our life where it can be about us as a couple again.

‘I mean, of course, we’ll always be parents, our kids are always a priority. They just don’t need us as much as they did, so we can enjoy each other more.’

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Exit ‘confirmed’ amid revenge as EastEnders spoilers reveal what happens next | Soaps

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Exit 'confirmed' amid revenge as EastEnders spoilers reveal what happens next | Soaps
The shocks continue tomorrow(Picture: BBC / Metro)

Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) was left heartbroken in EastEnders as she told Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) that the baby she’s expecting is Max Branning’s (Jake Wood) – not his.

Ravi was on cloud nine when he learned that Priya was pregnant and, shortly after rekindling their romance, they became engaged.

Priya, as viewers know, had a dalliance with Max which went on for months and, despite Ravi finding out about it, he decided to look to the future and focus on their family.

Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), however, was on a mission to get revenge on those that have wronged her and, after discovering that Priya’s unborn baby is Max’s, she ordered her out of the Square – otherwise she would share the news with everyone.

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Priya was all ready to comply but, when Ravi starts quizzing her on her reasons for her impending departure, she was left with little choice but to come clean, leaving him utterly devastated.

Elsewhere, Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) got back in touch with Craig Ingram (Matthew James Bailey) and Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) remained consumed with grief following the death of beloved daughter Zoe (Michelle Ryan).

If you’re eager to find out what’s next in the Square after those cliffhangers, here’s everything you need to know about what’s in store tomorrow.

What happens next in EastEnders? New spoilers for Tuesday, September 22

Ravi is utterly broken in the wake of Priya’s revelation and storms off.

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Priya, meanwhile, confronts Cindy and tells her that she is staying put – that is, until she encounters Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Mullier), whose comments leave her questioning such a decision.

Priya Nandra-Hart with a concerned expression, as she talks to Ravi Gulati outside in EastEnders.
Ravi’s world has turned upside down (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

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Ravi seeks counsel from Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) and, with a sense of clarity, he finds Priya and begs her to stay, promising to raise the child as his own. The question is: will Priya agree to such a thing?

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Over at the Vic, Cindy and Max have a very public showdown, with Cindy declaring war on the love rat, demanding everything that he owns.

Peter Beale (Thomas Law) talks his mum round and thus Cindy promises to steer clear of Lauren’s (Jacqueline Jossa) share of the car lot.

TX DATE:22-09-2026,TX WEEK:38,EMBARGOED UNTIL:15-09-2026 00:00:00,PEOPLE:Suki Kaur Panesar (BALVINDER SOPAL);Eve Unwin (HEATHER PEACE);Ash Panesar (SAKIRA VEL),DESCRIPTION:***EMBARGOED TILL 15TH SEPTEMBER 2026***?,COPYRIGHT:BBC Public Service,CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
Suki and Ash are at war – much to Eve’s dismay (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Elsewhere, Amy opes up to Craig about the death of mum Roxy (Rita Simons), which brings them closer. But Craig subsequently notices her scars and Amy runs off.

War is waged once more between Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) and recently returned daughter Ash (Sakira Vel). Ash ignites Suki’s rage with a comment about her parenting while Eve (Heather Peace) desperately tries to smooth tensions between the two.

Eventually, the mother and daughter duo reconcile – that is until Suki says that Ash cannot stay due to Ria, which leaves her daughter feeling rejected once more.

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EastEnders airs these scenes Tuesday September 22 at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you.

Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.

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Paramount reaches settlement with states in $110bn Warner Bros merger

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A BBC Verify branded image showing a satellite photo of a detention facility in China.

Paramount Skydance has settled a lawsuit with dozens of US states, removing a major hurdle to its $110bn (£82.8bn) merger with Warner Bros Discovery.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta told a news conference that state officials agreed to terms after securing commitments to protect competition across film and television, and broadcasting.

Still, “the settlement is not a vote of support for this merger,” Bonta said. “I don’t think these two companies should merge.”

Paramount chief executive David Ellison hailed the resolution, saying: “Our shared aim was an outcome that best serves consumers, workers and – most importantly -the creative community so vital to the art of visual storytelling.”

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In a statement, Ellison said that now the state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America concerns had been addressed, “we have complete clearance for this merger and look forward to putting these commitments into action”.

Ellison had previously threatened to move studio operations out of California.

The settlement will help boost film production in the US, Bonta said, adding that under the agreement, Paramount must release at least 30 films each year.

Bonta stressed the agreement guarantees a massive boost to domestic output, “$300m to $1.5bn more, at minimum, for film and TV production right here in our country”.

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“Importantly, that is the baseline. That is the minimum,” Bonta said, noting that production commitments could surge by up to 700% if Congress passes a federal film tax credit.

Under the deal’s initial terms, Paramount must ensure 20% of all film production takes place in the US for the first two years, rising over 30% over the following three years.

While mergers typically lead to corporate overlap and redundancies, Bonta maintained that it would be a “job creator” that will put people back to work across the industry.

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Tram plans slammed as ‘scandalous waste of money’

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Cambridgeshire Live

A study which could suggest introducing trams or a light rail network to combat Cambridge’s congestion could be released later this year, as readers remain divided over the city’s transport strategy

Residents and CambridgeshireLive readers have been sharing their views on the prospect of introducing trams to Cambridge.

A study examining whether trams or a light rail system could help alleviate the city’s traffic problems may be published later this year. Officials from the Cambridge Development Corporation attended a meeting of South Cambridgeshire District Council’s scrutiny and overview committee to answer questions from councillors.

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The development organisation was formed earlier this year to speed up the construction of new housing and infrastructure across Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire, though concerns have been raised that it could remove planning authority from local councils.

One of our commenters, Freddly, said: “If trams are to be introduced, it’s important that the space comes from cars and vans, that is, from the motor vehicle carriageway. If there is to be ‘a squeeze’ on another mode, that mode needs to be cars and vans. They are the least efficient way of moving people around (increasingly 1 person in an SUV the size of a small tank), and they do not remotely pay for their current dominance of space in our cities.”

Whynot2 retorts: “Trams by their very nature are not designed to run along a footpath; they will be built using the road. More importantly, if they ever build a tramway, is it going to be overhead or underground power supply? No city or borough that has installed a tramway has done it anywhere near the proposed budget, and you won’t like that, would you? One last question: what happened to the metro system that they proposed?”

Brexit498 asks: “Have you done another of your cost-benefit analyses? If you are in a Mini or a Range Rover, you make no difference to congestion. The University wants to rent land, and the council wants the tax: the result is a city that cannot accommodate the people who pay for this greed.”

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Rootintootinredux says: “Remember when the guided bus was their solution to the tram system? That sure worked, didn’t it?”

Scuba99 writes: “I’m holding out for a monorail above the colleges.”

Oopsiblewoff feels: “They should start by cancelling the new busway and ripping up the current one. The whole of Cambridge must become pedestrian and cycle-only. Cyclists should also be allowed to freely connect to the tram network for additional energy. Free of charge.”

Brexit498 agrees: “Agree, the busway is rarely used.”

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Reece48 says: “A light rail network is the answer; more buses were never a good idea to deal with the projected growth in and around the city.”

Time4change27 thinks: “A scandalous waste of money! The corporation and the cost of the Mayor are unnecessary. Scrap the lot, including the GCP, and fix the existing roads with the money saved from employing consultants. Expanding bus services would cost less than a light rail system and actually work.”

Campete2 writes: “For buses to work requires eradicating congestion, which means getting cars off the roads they use. Which means either a congestion charge or more roads prohibited to cars entirely. Sadly, many of what the various authorities are doing (including the GCP) is pushing ahead with car-dependent development and encouraging more car use.”

Reece48 adds: “We are in the here and now; in fact, they are behind the curve. House building in and around Cambridge is growing at a very fast rate. If they don’t agree soon on a modern transport system for the city, it will become like London, a congested nightmare.”

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Over on our Facebook page, Susan D comments: “Why not consider giving us something to come into Cambridge for…very few shops to choose from, but coffee places galore. Surely the only people excited about visiting Cambridge are the foreign tourists. Nothing much there for the rest of us.”

Steve B says: “There are two hopes in getting trams. Bob Hope and No Hope. The roads are too narrow to have dedicated tram lines. With the high amount of cyclists, there would be a higher incidence of collisions. Trams can’t dodge around a cyclist who obstructs their route as they’re on rails. With the incidents of fatalities on the Cambridge Busway, can you imagine the chaos with trams? Trams are nearly as wide as a bus, but as said, they have to follow the tram lines; they can’t pull close to the kerb, just sit in the middle of the road. If you check out Manchester’s tram system, it runs on multi-lane roads, cuts through the countryside on the outskirts, and bypasses some areas. Cambridge City is too enclosed, and are they being powered by overhead pantographs or batteries?”

Are you for or against trams in Cambridge? Comment below or HERE to have your say.

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JJ Spaun makes comments about English culture as Rory McIlroy shocked by winner’s omission

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Daily Mirror

There has been plenty to discuss after JJ Spaun left Rory McIlroy forced to settle for joint-second at the BMW PGA Championship

It was close but no cigar for Rory McIlroy at the BMW PGA Championship. The Northern Irishman put up a good fight but ended up in a tie for second as JJ Spaun finished two clear of the field.

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American star Spaun has been enjoying his time in England and fought off a fierce challenge to triumph at Wentworth. However, he won’t be involved in the upcoming Presidents Cup.

That’s one of a number of big events left to play between now and the end of the year. Spaun isn’t the only one with plenty of play ahead of him, with McIlroy aiming to chase down Patrick Reed and claim top spot in the Race to Dubai.

Spaun and McIlroy both spoke after their weekend’s exertions, with the former making comments which will have left an impression with local fans. Here’s our round-up of the latest lines.

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Spaun’s unexpected Jeremy Clarkson influence

JJ Spaun revealed his affection for England even before securing victory at Wentworth, reflecting on his and his family’s love for ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ as well as an enjoyment of the local crowd. The American posted a final round 67 to claim the title ahead of McIlroy, Aaron Rai, Adam Scott and Manuel Elvira.

“We love coming here, as far as being in the atmosphere, the English culture, we love it,” the American said at the midway point in the tournament. He expanded on this after his victory, revealing that he and his family are particularly fond of the TV programme ‘Clarkson’s Farm’.

“I think we really enjoyed it because we went to the Cotswolds before watching his show, and it gravitated to how we understood the culture there, the community, and then obviously looking like an idiot trying to farm. It’s a good laugh. We enjoy the show and we love the Cotswolds,” the 36-year-old added.

“We’ve grown fond of him along with English culture. We take holidays in December in the Cotswolds and really enjoy his show. I went to his pub, The Farmer’s Dog, with hopes to catch a glimpse but he wasn’t around.”

McIlroy’s Spaun surprise

Rory McIlroy spoke about how impressed he was by Spaun over the weekend. This made it all the more surprising when he learned his rival wasn’t part of the United States team for the upcoming Presidents Cup.

“He’s been playing great for the last couple of years. I think it’s great of him to come over here [to the UK} and play,” the world No.2 said. “He made the Presidents Cup, didn’t he? He didn’t? Oh, geez,”.

“I was going to say, that’s a good way to go into the Presidents Cup. Sorry. But it’s great that he’s over here, and he’s obviously had a great week.”

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The deserted Cambridgeshire village that people didn’t know existed for years

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Cambridgeshire Live

The introduction of a royal forest forced villagers to leave their homes

Cambridgeshire is a county that has a fascinating history, but some of it has been lost over years gone by. Much of the county’s history is well-known, such as places where the Romans settled or Cambridge’s prominent university history.

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However, there is some history that has become forgotten over time and lost. There is one village known as Houghton that people didn’t know existed for years.

The lost Anglo-Saxon village was hidden beneath ground for around 900 years. Although there is a Houghton that exists today between Wyton and St Ives, this Houghton was located less than half a mile from Brampton.

No one knew it existed until 2018 when it was discovered by National Highways while work was taking place to build a new A14 route between Cambridge and Huntingdon.

Around 250 archaeologists unearthed the lost village, and discovered it was occupied between the 11th and 13th centuries. Through further research, people eventually found out the village was abandoned.

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This was due to the expansion of a “royal forest” in the area. Royal forests were introduced by the Normans at the end of the Anglo-Saxon period.

They were designated large areas of England used as hunting grounds and could only exclusively be used by the monarchy. When Henry II ascended to the throne in 1154, the whole of Huntingdonshire was declared a royal forest.

When this was declared, villagers in Houghton were no longer allowed access to the local woodlands, which they relied on for food and fuel. Without the necessary means to survive, they were forced to leave.

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With Brampton and Godmanchester being so close, it’s possible these villagers moved to these areas.

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NewsBeat

Ed Davey Has People Cringing With ‘Truss-esque’ Catchphrase

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Ed Davey Has People Cringing With 'Truss-esque' Catchphrase

Ed Davey has left social media users cringing after a clip from his keynote speech at the Liberal Democrats’ conference went viral.

The Lib Dem leader tried to rouse attendees at the annual get-together by unveiling the party’s new slogan: “We care, we fight.”

As the Kingston and Surbiton MP drew parallels between his own political awakening and the fight in the UK against the populist right, he told the room to “speak with one voice to say: we care and we fight.”

He said he hoped the populist right will look at them and “what they’ll hear is a party that won’t be ground down. That won’t be deterred. That won’t give up the fight.”

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However, his over-enthusiastic delivery and the half-hearted response from the crowd has drawn all the wrong kind of attention from critics.

One particular clip, shared by Politics UK on X, accumulated 1.4 million views in less than 48 hours.

Speaking on the first evening of the party’s Autumn conference in Brighton, he said: “Will they hear? We care! We fight! We care! We fight! We care! We fight! That’s right!”

Watch how well it went down here….

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That 12-second clip was enough to trigger a series of eye-rolls from the internet.

Some even compared him to former Tory prime minister Liz Truss, who famously went viral for promoting “pork markets” and calling the UK’s high volume of cheese imports a “disgrace”.

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Others wished Davey was still doing the stunts he is well-known for, like purposely falling off his paddleboard in front of the cameras.

But even some self-proclaimed Lib Dems had their head in their hands.

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

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Loudly promoting prostate cancer awareness at The Lens

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Loudly promoting prostate cancer awareness at The Lens

There are never enough opportunities to raise awareness on the need for men, specifically, but not exclusively, aged 50 and over, to raise their awareness to try and help prevent al illness that in the UK in 2026 is about ‘8’: 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point (double that for black men), a new diagnosis is made every 8 minutes and, the “ripple” effect, means that for any one person diagnosed, you will be lucky if less than 8 others are directly, sometimes permanently, affected (starting of course with spouse/partners, children etc).

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Ely school ‘disappointed’ after being told to ‘urgently improve’ by Ofsted

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Cambridgeshire Live

The school says it is making ‘significant improvements’

A Cambridgeshire school has been told it needs to make “significant improvement”, following its latest Ofsted inspection. Highfield Littleport Academy in Elm Side, Ely, underwent an Ofsted inspection on July 7.

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When the school was last inspected in 2022, it was rated good in all areas . However, the areas assessed in its latest inspection have been rated as ‘needs attention’ and ‘urgent improvement’.

Ofsted has told the school that it requires “significant improvement”. The report said: “His Majesty’s Chief Inspector is of the opinion that this school requires significant improvement because it is performing significantly less well than it might in all the circumstances reasonably be expected to perform.”

A spokesperson for the Active Learning Trust, which oversees the school, said it was “disappointed with the report”. However, they added: “It’s important to recognise that Highfield Littleport has made significant improvements and progress since the inspection took place in July.

“This includes welcoming several new members of staff since September. New staff include a children’s communications specialist, an autism specialist and a play therapist, all helping to remove any barriers to learning, as well as the four new calming rooms and sensory room available to pupils.”

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The school welcomed a new headteacher, Adam Daw, just five weeks before the inspection took place. The spokesperson added: “[He] is extremely well placed to support Highfield Littleport on this improvement journey. His excellent and thorough leadership at Highfield Ely has already been widely recognised by parents and children as well as by Ofsted.

“We are pleased that Ofsted recognised that pupils feel safe, valued and want to attend Highfield Littleport, and we look forward to working together with staff at Highfield Littleport to ensure that every pupil can achieve their full potential.”

The school was rated as needing urgent improvement for curriculum and teaching and achievement. It was rated as needing attention for: attendance and behaviour, inclusion, leadership and governance and personal development and wellbeing.

Inspectors said pupils weren’t “achieving well enough” at the school, and they sometimes “disengage from learning because tasks are either too easy or too hard”. The school’s curriculum was also described as “unclear”.

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Inspectors added: “Over time, staff have been given the freedom to plan new ideas, but leaders have not checked this closely enough to make sure what pupils learn stays ambitious and well thought through.”

For pupils who are pre-verbal or non-verbal, they “do not build their communication skills properly” at the school. Inspectors also said that many pupils have gaps in reading, writing and maths.

“These gaps are not picked up routinely, so pupils move forward with shaky foundations,” the report added.

The school’s facilities were praised for “supporting pupils’ wider development”, such as having access to a gym. The school’s attendance is also above national average, and leaders were praised for “building strong relationships with families, so pupils feel safe, valued and want to attend.”

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Inspectors did acknowledge that the school’s “standards slipped suddenly because of turbulence in leadership”. They added: “The trust responded appropriately and as quickly as it reasonably could. Still, this disruption unsettled staff and some left.

“Leaders struggled to recruit experienced replacements. This has weakened pupils’ learning and achievement. Very recent leadership changes have steadied the school. Parents and carers, pupils and staff now report renewed confidence in leadership.”

Ofsted suggested a number of improvements including that it needed to define a clearer curriculum, ensure teachers’ response to pupils’ needs, and identify gaps in pupils’ foundational skills.

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